By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State Government led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has affirmed its commitment to collaborate with federal government to reactivate existing dams and Irrigation facilities to facilitate dry season farming and enhance food security in the state.
To achieve this objective, a 6-man preparatory team drawn from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Anambra- Imo River Basin Development Authority under “Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria” (SPIN) has opened up discussions with the state government.
Speaking during the engagement meeting in Awka, Secretary To State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu said the state would do the needful to ensure people of the state benefitted from the project.
He pledged state government’s readiness to key into the 5 year project geared towards resuscitating any identified existing federal government water source/dam for production of crops, especially rice and maize.
Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor said the state has enough Dams in Ogboji, Ufuma and Ifite Ogwari/Omor that would meet requirements for establishment of the SPIN project.
Earlier, SPIN Project Leader, Mrs Stella Arachie said her team was on an assessment tour to determine suitable location for reactivation of a water source/ dam in the state.
Arachie, who doubles as the Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, highlighted detailed requirements for establishment of the project to include; availability of Water Source In Dry Season/Dam.
“Other requirements include, evidence of land ownership, availability of 500 hectares of land, counterpart funding as well as water users association/cooperatives among others,” she said.
While enumerating components of the SPIN project to include Dam Safety and Irrigation, Arachie said the project also targets to undertake studies for hydro power in the nation.
After deliberations, the team with government officials comprising Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Agriculture, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Power,Ezekwo V.C and some Directors visited Ogboji and Ifite Ogwari/Omor to carry out on the spot assessment of the areas.
Ogboji is in Orumba South Local Government Area, while Ifite Ogwari and Omor communities are in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state.
They all expressed satisfaction that the dams have the stipulated requirements and potentials for all year round irrigation farming in the area, adding that that of Ifite Ogwari Pumping Station had already been supported by ATAPS-1 project with canals, channels.
Commissioner For Water Resources and Power, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka and his Economic Planning and Budget counterpart, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake also attended the engagement meeting.
